5G NR sub-6GHz prototype system and trial platform

5G will make the best use of a wide range of spectrum bands, and utilising spectrum bands below 6GHz is a critical part of allowing for flexible deployments with ubiquitous network coverage and a wide range of use cases. Designs implemented on the prototype system are being utilised to drive 3GPP standardisation for a new, OFDM-based 5G NR air interface. The prototype system will closely track 3GPP progress to help achieve timely 5G NR trials with mobile operators, infrastructure vendors, and other industry players, as well as future 5G NR commercial network launches. The new prototype adds to Qualcomm Technologies’ existing 5GmmWave prototype system, operating at 28GHz and capable of robust mobile broadband communications in non-line-of-sight environment, utilising advanced beam-forming and beam-steering techniques.

The 5G NR prototype system consists of both a base station and user equipment (UE), serving as a testbed for verifying 5G NR capabilities. It supports wide RF bandwidths over 100MHz, capable of delivering multi-gigabit per second data rates. It also supports a new integrated subframe design for significantly lower over-the-air latency than what is possible in today’s 4G LTE network. The prototype system continues Qualcomm Technologies’ development and testing of their innovative 5G designs, which they are actively contributing to 5G NR 3GPP standardization. The 3GPP 5G NR study item has begun as part of Release 14 and will feed into Release 15 work items.

Qualcomm Technologies will be showcasing the prototype system publicly for the first time at Mobile World Congress Shanghai from 29th June to 1st July at the China Mobile Communications Corporations booth as part of their ongoing collaboration.

“The 5G NR prototype further demonstrates our leadership in developing a unified, more capable 5G air interface, building upon our long-standing expertise in delivering OFDM chips and technology with LTE and Wi-Fi,” said Matt Grob, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Qualcomm Technologies. “We are excited to collaborate with leading network operators like China Mobile Communications Corporation on 5G technology development and testing to support the work required for 3GPP 5G standardisation.”

“We are happy to be working with Qualcomm to showcase the sub-6GHz 5G prototype system at Mobile World Congress Shanghai,” said Madam Huang Yuhong, the DGM of China Mobile Research Institute. “This is a great example of the 5G technology collaboration we set out to accomplish when we announced the 5G Joint Innovation Center earlier this year.”

Mobile World Congress Shanghai attendees can view a video of the sub-6GHz prototype at China Mobile Communications Corporation’s booth in Hall N1 booth A20, and experience video demonstrations of Qualcomm Technologies’ mmWave prototype and sub-6GHz prototype in the Qualcomm booth in Hall N2 booth C38.